Column: Stereotypical politicians

Published: Friday, March 28, 2014 at 05:37 PM.

"Typical politician."

"If their lips are moving, they're lying."

"They're all the same."

Unfortunately, all these stereotypes, and more, resurfaced Wednesday when Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested for public corruption and bribery charges. Cannon was accused of soliciting and accepting more than $48,000 in cash, airline tickets, a hotel room and the use of a luxury apartment as bribes.

Sadly, this has reverberated throughout our country and caused additional distrust for public officials. While congressional approval normally hovers somewhere between telemarketers and Brussels sprouts, local governments have enjoyed higher levels of trust. This is from a variety of reasons ranging from accessibility and more consensus building among the elected officials. Events like what happened with former Mayor Cannon do nothing to maintain this level of trust in local government.

There are thousands of elected officials throughout our country and every year a handful of them will get caught doing something illegal or unethical. This creates an unfair reputation for the majority that get up every day attempting to do the right thing for their constituency. It also prevents many other good people from running for office because of the negative connotation it places on them whether it was earned or not.

I am saddened for Mayor Cannon's family and for the City of Charlotte who will suffer the consequences of his actions. I am angry that a politician would so willfully disregard the public's trust simply for his own gain. Finally, I am reminded as Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 6 that, "the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Unfortunately, all these stereotypes, and more, resurfaced Wednesday when Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested for public corruption and bribery charges. Cannon was accused of soliciting and accepting more than $48,000 in cash, airline tickets, a hotel room and the use of a luxury apartment as bribes.

Sadly, this has reverberated throughout our country and caused additional distrust for public officials. While congressional approval normally hovers somewhere between telemarketers and Brussels sprouts, local governments have enjoyed higher levels of trust. This is from a variety of reasons ranging from accessibility and more consensus building among the elected officials. Events like what happened with former Mayor Cannon do nothing to maintain this level of trust in local government.

There are thousands of elected officials throughout our country and every year a handful of them will get caught doing something illegal or unethical. This creates an unfair reputation for the majority that get up every day attempting to do the right thing for their constituency. It also prevents many other good people from running for office because of the negative connotation it places on them whether it was earned or not.

I am saddened for Mayor Cannon's family and for the City of Charlotte who will suffer the consequences of his actions. I am angry that a politician would so willfully disregard the public's trust simply for his own gain. Finally, I am reminded as Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 6 that, "the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

In the book, Measures of Political Attitudes, the author defines trust as “confidence that authorities will observe the rules of the game and act in the general interest." I can honestly say that the majority of elected officials I have worked with, regardless of party affiliation, do exactly that. While we may strongly disagree on issues, I believe we have the citizens' best interest in mind.

I challenge every public servant to live every day in a manner that proves the stereotypes wrong!